Semua Bab The Wife He Threw Away : Bab 61 - Bab 70

“You didn’t even try to be discreet.” The words left my mouth before I could reconsider them. Claire stopped just inside the living room, the door closing softly behind her. For a moment, she didn’t move. Then she finally turned. Not slowly, or cautiously like she used to— directly. There was no hesitation in her expression. No guilt. That, more than anything, irritated me. She met my gaze evenly, and the response was immediate. “I went to an art gallery. Not a crime scene.” She retorted. I let out a quiet breath, studying her more carefully now. I didn’t let her attitude phase me. I studied her more carefully now; the dark hair cascading down her back, her almond shaped eyes which she always narrowed whenever she was annoyed, her hands folded firmly in front of her. “You seemed comfortable being seen with him,” I finally said, trying to keep my voice even. “Publicly.” I added, taking another step closer to her. “After everything.” Claire’s expression d

I didn’t realize how tightly I was holding my phone until my fingers started to ache. The screen blurred for a second. Not from tears, but from the speed at which everything was unfolding. Headlines, photos, narratives. All of it—clean, deliberate, intentional. “Claire?” Margot’s voice snapped through the silence, sharp and focused. “I’m here,” I said. “Good. Then listen carefully.” No softness, no comfort. This time it was just strategy. “This is not about gossip,” she continued. “This is about credibility.” I exhaled slowly, my eyes still locked on the screen. “I can see that.” “They’re going to argue that you’re emotionally involved,” Margot said. “That your judgment is compromised.” A beat passed. “That this case is personal for you in ways that go beyond the marriage.” My grip tightened around the phone. “They’re going to say I’m biased,” I said. “They’re going to say you’re vindictive.” Margot added. I swallowed as she continued. “They

The courtroom didn’t erupt when the judge adjourned. Instead, it shifted—quietly at first. Then rapidly. Chairs scraped against the floors, papers were gathered, conversations resumed in low tones that carried more weight than raised voices ever could. I remained seated for a moment longer than I should have. Not because I didn’t know what to do next, but because I understood, finally, what I had just done. “Claire.” Margot called, her hand closed lightly around my arm. Not harsh, not urgent, but firm enough to bring me back to the moment. I looked at her then. “What you just did… changes everything.” There was no praise in it. But there was no reprimand either. It was just… fact. “I know,” I said. Her eyes searched mine for a second longer, as if measuring whether I really did know the consequences of my actions. Then she exhaled quietly and released me. We stepped out into the corridor together. The air felt different outside the courtroom. It felt heavi

The courtroom felt different the moment I stepped in. Not louder, not chaotic either. Just heavier. Eyes followed me long enough to remind me that I was no longer just part of the case. I was the case. Lucian was already seated when I walked in. He didn’t look at me immediately, but I felt it anyway—that awareness of his presence, sharp and controlled. Victoria sat beside him, composed as ever. No visible tension. No wasted movement. I noticed Nathaniel in the audience. I didn’t look at him for long. I couldn’t afford to. “Claire.” Margot’s called, her voice was low and steady. I took my place beside her. “Today is about control,” she said quietly. “Not reaction.” I nodded. “I understand.” She studied me briefly, then nodded once. “Good.” The session resumed, and soon enough, I was called to the stand. The walk to the stand felt longer than it should have. The sound of my heels clicking against the floor echoed through the courtroom. After I was sworn in

Eva’s hand remained extended for a moment after I finished watching the video. I handed the phone back to her slowly, as though the movement itself required precision. I didn’t look at her immediately. Didn’t give her the reaction she had been waiting for. Because I understood. Not just what I had seen, but what it meant. “This was edited,” I stated calmly. Eva’s lips curved into a full smirk. “Of course it was.” She said. “What do you think I am— stupid?” The softness in her tone was deliberate— almost pleasant. As if we were discussing something as casual as the weather. But we weren’t. She knew exactly what this was. She knew what it meant for the case, and what it meant for my image. And she wanted me to know that she knew. I didn’t respond. I wouldn’t give Eva Sterling the satisfaction of knowing how much her schemes affected me. Instead, I became aware of something else. Lucian. He was still there. Still watching. Still silent. He had see